21 of 26 health plans polled during the week of March 2 said they are aggressively “hiring/contracting with” more social workers to address, among other things, behavioral healthcare and better transitions for teens, young adults and elderly being discharged following a serious fall or other acute condition, including those caused mental health challenges. The poll, conducted by The Behavioral Health Hour, included input from HR and medical departments at 15 national and regional managed care organizations with commercial, Medicare and Medicaid membership and 11 organizations focused solely on Medicaid.
